Here comes a BPO initiative with a difference

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Accenture, Dr. Reddy’s Foundation and the NASSCOM Foundation today announced that they are working together to provide comprehensive training and career opportunities in business process outsourcing for underprivileged youth in India, especially in rural areas.

The effort is part of Accenture’s corporate citizenship focus on 'Skills to Succeed', which educates people building skills that enable them to participate in and contribute to the economy, said a press release.

Accenture and DRF would identify, recruit and train facilitators identified by NASSCOM. Accenture will also select potential BPO academy sites, based on job availability in those markets.

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Upon completion of the course, Accenture will recruit from among the graduates for its own BPO operations, and DRF will conduct follow-up workshops with NGOs.

“Bringing BPO training to disadvantaged youth is part of Accenture’s commitment to building skills that will help them sustain their families and their communities,” said Harsh Maglik, chairman and geography managing director, Accenture in India.

He added that this is aimed at making a significant, lasting impact on the economic well-being of individuals who might otherwise become marginalized.

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“This initiative provides the tools for rural youth to be trained in BPO skills suitably in order to be gainfully employed,” said Jitendra Kalra, chief executive officer, Dr. Reddy’s Foundation.

He said this would make a significant improvement to the lives of the disadvantaged youth, by sharing their training expertise in the Livelihood Advancement Business School processes.

“With about 74 per cent of Indians residing in villages, domestic BPOs can bring a revolution in employment opportunities for the rural educated masses,” said Jaithirth (Jerry) Rao, chairman, NASSCOM Foundation.

He added that with the growing demand for a skilled workforce in the BPO space, these initiatives provide a huge opportunity in securing sustainable livelihood for the rural youth.